Press Release

ALLEY CAT ALLIES APPLAUDS WITHDRAWAL OFDANGEROUS BILLProposed legislation in Rhode Island would have resulted in deaths of thousands of cats

BETHESDA, MD — Alley Cat Allies, the nation’s advocate for stray and feral cats, todayexpressed relief for the withdrawal of a bill in the Rhode Island state legislature (S.B. 2253) thatwould have mandated the impoundment of “any roaming or feral cat at large.”

“We are grateful that the sponsors saw the grave dangers inherent in this bill and revoked it,” saidBecky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “Such laws will invariably lead to the needlessdeath of thousands of cats and are completely ineffective.”

“According to the most recent nationwide research, more than 70 percent of all cats who entershelters are killed there,” Robinson said. “For feral cats, who are not adoptable, this rises tovirtually 100 percent. Any bill requiring cats to be impounded would lead to even more deaths.”Robinson noted that the vast majority of Americans do not support this killing. Researchcommissioned by Alley Cat Allies and conducted by Harris Interactive found that 81 percent ofAmericans would prefer a stray cat be left alone to live out her life than be caught and killed.

Millions of people care about these cats, Robinson said. The same study reported that over 40percent of Americans have fed a stray cat in their lives, and one out of five has done so in the pastyear. She noted that many progressive communities across the country have adopted the humaneprogram known as Trap-Neuter-Return for feral cats, with great success.

“Trap-Neuter-Return is the best course of action for feral cats,” Robinson said. “It humanelystabilizes the population by ending the breeding cycle and helping the cats live better and healthierlives. It also makes the cats better neighbors by ending mating behaviors like roaming, yowlingand fighting.”

Robinson said that Alley Cat Allies will be following up with the Rhode Island state veterinarian’soffice to educate staff about Trap-Neuter-Return and ensure such legislation is not proposed again.

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About Alley Cat Allies Alley Cat Allies is the nation’s leading advocate for stray and feral cats. Their website is www.alleycat.org.